It’s been almost a year since 4-year-old Kearston Albert was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This last year has been an absolute whirlwind for the Albert family, but Kearston’s mother Sheri can now smile and say that her brave little daughter has beat cancer.

“This child has just persevered..she is strength, I don’t know where she gets it….what she’s been through…it’s amazing,” Albert says.

Kearst0n got her diagnosis on August 28th of last year. A shocking and scary time for the family – but her mother says now they’re in a totally different place. Kearston is in “maintenance” mode of chemotherapy, and will be finished by december of next year. The Albert family just returned from Camp Sunshine in Casco – which provides support and hope to children with life threatening illnesses and their families.

Albert says “The camp gave us so much. They give so many families the strength, the encouragement, the support…we had sessions where we got to talk to other parents..and people that really really understand where we’re coming from.”

Because this family was so touched by Camp Sunshine – they want to give back. While at Camp Sunshine, everyone learns and participates in this “Hands Up” dance. Sheri is hoping to get hundreds of folks together to do this special dance at the Ploye Festival in Fort Kent this weekend to show Camp Sunshine their gratitude.

Albert says, “There’s a feeling that comes over you when you’re doing this dance for that reason..you know, because of all these little children that have life threatening illnesses, there’s just a feeling that comes over you to watch it and participate in it”

Sheri says she and her family are so thankful to have experienced this camp – and had it not been for Kearston, they never would have.

Albert says, “We’ve been down a path that we never thought we could go down, so it’s not about her but because of her that we’re in this place.”

Sheri also hopes this show of support will put Camp Sunshine on the map for folks in Fort Kent and around the rest of the county. It helped this family – and they hope it will help others, too.

** You have two opportunities to participate in the dance. The first is tomorrow night at 6:15 after the Ploye Eating contest. The second is on Saturday around 8:45pm at Bee-Jays. They’ll be accepting donations for Camp Sunshine throughout the festival — and some of the vendors there will be giving a portion of their profits to Camp Sunshine. **